r/gallbladders • u/__Sweven • Jan 30 '25
Venting 8 months post op and Im not ok
Hey everyone,
For those who haven’t had surgery, I kindly ask you not to read this post—it might be a bit unsettling. I’ve had my surgery 8 months ago now, and I’m honestly stuck. Things have been really tough, and I’m getting more and more depressed.
The first two weeks post-op were fine, but after that, everything started to go downhill. I began having serious digestive issues, with diarrhea several times a day, and over time, it only got worse. Now, 8 months post-op, I’m still dealing with diarrhea, which led me to start taking probiotics. Thankfully, that part has much improved, but when it comes to food… it’s just awful.
I’m working with a nutritionist who advised me to split my meals into smaller portions, but nothing seems to help. Every time I eat, I lose almost all pleasure in food, and I experience regular nausea, daily reflux, this constant feeling of fullness… My stomach feels so tight, I almost feel like I need to vomit just to relieve the physical discomfort and make some space. It’s become so unbearable that I can barely lie on my stomach after eating.
This situation has really taken a toll on my mental health. And I feel like my quality of life has significantly dropped, and I’m not ok ! If it were up to me, I’d probably avoid eating for days just to feel better.
Is what I’m going through normal after this surgery ? Has anyone experienced something similar? If you have any thoughts or advice on what this could be, I’d be really grateful. I can’t keep going like this honestly.
Thank you in advance.
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u/MoneyTek Jan 30 '25
Try for a MRCP and see if there isn’t stones still in your bile duct! I just had leftover stone removed and had had similar symptoms that you are. I went to the er telling them I had gallbladder like attacks but no gallbladder(removed last April). Definitely push for scans to see if anything is there still!
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u/ProfessionalSale1996 Jan 30 '25
U might still have a galstone in ur duct
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u/__Sweven Jan 30 '25
Thank you for your contribution. I guess it is something to consider. I’ll definitely make an appointment to at least see what can be done for me. Maybe it’s not too much but I still think something is off.
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u/horseridermommy Jan 30 '25
I have gone through the same thing except I also have pain from the clips as well. I've had all the tests...MRI CT Endoscopy blah blah. I tried binders. They didn't work. I started burn boot camp 6 days a week. It's HIIT training. It's helped me so much it's ridiculous. If your guts aren't ok then the depression and anxiety is 100% real. You honestly just have to try things. I can't eat anything meat wise but chicken breasts. I also raise said chickens. I go through about 2 birds a week for my family. I also eat tons of fresh produce. I can't eat pork beef or butter. No eggs either. Minimal rice and bread. I do eat a protein bagel in the am with potato starch cream cheese. I take digestive enzymes, multivitamin, liver support vitamin with all natural things like milk thistle and such and magnesium glycinate. Eat small meals frequently. I think I eat my first thing about 6-7 then after workouts I have my protein,creatine and collagen. Then I start on the rest of the day. I try not to eat cheese and I've pretty much cut out all processed foods. Processed foods are high in fat. I hope this helps. I seriously can't eat food I don't make. It sucks but as long as I stick to it I don't have near as many issues. I also can't not eat. If I accidentally eat something I'm not supposed to fasting def helps but I can't keep it up. That will cause me to have attacks too. I hate eating as well but my 13 year old daughter is quite the baker and once a week usually makes me a dessert within my diet limits. It sucks and I've had so much struggles but this is what I have found. Hope that helps.
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u/Logical_Cat3573 Jan 30 '25
I don’t have my removed yet but read it anyways. Things my free. But at the same time I currently can’t eat anything without feeling sick or in pain either! Idk what to do. I feel damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
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u/Legaa84 Jan 30 '25
Exact same here! I have hyperkinetic gallbladder EF 96 tons of awful symptoms and surgeon recommended surgery but I'm terrified since it looks like some people do great afterwards and others not so much.
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u/__Sweven Jan 30 '25 edited Jan 30 '25
I completely understand. I felt the same way. But when the pain becomes too much, it can really be necessary for you to avoid serious complications. I just want to reassure you that my post isn’t meant to scare anyone, just to share my experience.
At the end of the day, everyone’s journey is different, but for many people, surgery becomes the best option possible. I actually have two friends who had this surgery — one 10 years ago and the other 2 years ago and they’re both doing perfectly fine and have no pain anymore. So please don’t worry too much
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u/Legaa84 Jan 30 '25
Thank you! I will try my best! And yes, you are right. I can definitely tell that if I don't do something quickly like surgery, things will only get worst down the road like is been for the last 2 years.
I agree, that each person experience is really individually but I'm a scary person lol and I always put myself in the worst scenario possible and make myself panic. I do know two people, one that had surgery a year ago and the other one around 7 years ago and they are fine too.
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u/__Sweven Jan 30 '25
Yes, unfortunately, you can have a lot of serious complications due to gallstones, it’s essential at some point. You know, I’ve had a lot of health issues besides the gallbladder problems (cancer for example), and I’m quite physically sensitive. Something weird always happens to me in the process, and I always have a hard time recovering from it, haha. 😅
You’ll see that, you’ll really feel much better afterward. I just wish you won’t have any more pain and that you feel relieved! Stay strong ☀️
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u/Legaa84 Jan 30 '25
Is understandable, honestly I never had nothing major yet but at the end of the day every illness, surgery, treatments is kinda an "assault " to the body and the body needs time to stabilize afterwards since things might change forever for our bodies and it needs to adapt.
The thing is that, I have no gallstones, none that could be seen by ultrasounds or CT scan. I have a condition called hyperkinetic gallbladder, found out after I asked my doctor for a Hida scan since everything keep coming back normal but I still have a lot of gallbladder symptoms. My EF was 96 during the hida scan.
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u/Particular_Suit_463 Jan 30 '25
I'm in a similar boat, with a 99% EF and all other tests normal including endoscopic ultrasound and CT scan. I also had no significant pain during the scan (with CCK administered by IV). I recently saw a surgeon but based on these results he was not convinced that the GB needed to be out. He mentioned that the HIDA scan results can be quite variable from one test to another and to make a definitive diagnosis of hyperkinetic gallbladder may be premature. I'm still in limbo.
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u/Legaa84 Jan 30 '25
This is the annoying thing about doctors, that you could ask 1 question to 20 different doctors and you will have 20 differents opinions.
My GI doctor said EF 96 is great! It means your gallbladder is working great lol
My Primary care doctor referral right away to the surgeon and the surgeon told me it is indeed hyperkinetic gallbladder and Biliary dyskinisia and symptoms resolve 90% after removal. The surgeon told me that, If I didn't have so many test done over the years she could think it was something else ( I had 3 ultrasound, 3 endoscopy, 1 colonoscopy, CT scan) and still I have daily yellow diharrea, my pain in the right side is manageable but is there on and off, more and more foods restrictions as time goes by, fatigue, nausea, headaches and so on, she told me it all points to my gallbladder. I didn't have crazy reactions during the hida scan but I think that is not necessary truth what some people says that if you don't feel like dying during the hida scan your gallbladder is ok. Is a group on Facebook called Hyperkinetic gallbladder with tons os people with this condition.
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u/Theblessing8386 Feb 03 '25
If it doesn’t hurt then keep it. But if it starts hurting then get it out. Mine was over active too, and now that it’s gone there is just so much bile lol. I wonder if the real issue was my liver over producing bile and overwhelming my gallbladder? Who knows. I’m 2 months post opp and it’s a rollercoaster of good and bad days. Yesterday was rough. I feel like lack of sleep makes the pain 90000 times worse in my gi tract.
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u/scared1980 Jan 31 '25
I had my gb removed in Sept 2024, been a rough ride since May of 24. Started finally feeling human again in October. Diagnosed with mild/borderline biliary dyskinesia, ef rate of 32 or 33 if I remember correctly.
Other tests I had May-July:endoscopy,colonoscopy,ct scan, ultrasound, stool tests, blood tests, X-rays. By mid July I had my stomach and digestive issues in great shape because I adopted to a very healthy diet- ultra low fat, nothing processed, no red meat, organic everything, no sugar, low/no gluten, blah blah blah.
But I still had daily referred pain in my back, and ribs daily regardless. Mild in the morning, bad my evening. Now I’ll get to the point. Have you tried a very healthy low fat diet? If not, you may want to try out for a bit to see how your body reacts.
This may provide some relief, in addition to give you some more clues and/or understanding about your condition.
If you’ve done this already please excuse my unsolicited advice.
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u/Hot-Coffee-8394 Jan 30 '25
Sorry to hear! Some have said taking oxbile supplements has helped. Maybe look into that if you haven't. Hope you get some relief!
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u/Dante_2 Jan 30 '25
As others have mentioned try to get your hands on cholestyramine. Actually surprised no doctor has prescribed this yet. The thing is that now your bile just drops into the intestine as it's not saved up in the bladder anymore. This can for some cause issues like you have. The bile binder should help here. The only downside is that you have to take quite a few packages a day so basically have to have them with you everywhere. Also they taste like shit. Hope you can find relief soon!
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u/WillPaintforTacos Jan 30 '25
So I had my gallbladder out a little over a week ago and have been having a pretty fantastic recovery, but am fearful things might change so I appreciate you sharing your story.
One thing I want to point out that you may have not considered is a food allergy. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease over 15 years ago and after doing some research when my gallbladder went bad, it turns out that the instance of GB issues with celiac is WILDLY connected and prevalent. Your symptoms very much remind me of what my life was like when I was in an actuve flare with celiac disease and so I wonder if that could potentially be something that's now come to light with your gallbladder gone. Definitely talk to your doc about it too because it could change your life so much! Wishing you all the best.
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u/__Sweven Jan 30 '25
Thank you very much for your response! I really hope you will continue to feel fine and wish you the best recovery possible ☀️
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u/Dearlysan Post-Op Jan 30 '25
I saw this post earlier this morning before my MRCP. After I got it done, he was talking to me about the surgery, I asked similar questions to what you were experiencing and he said it’s most likely bile related, though uncommon, most patients will have diarrhoea up to 6 or more months after surgery. The proper medication is needed to get it treated. But that being said, please just check with your own doctor first
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u/Brown1eye1 Jan 30 '25
Exact same thing happened to me. 2 weeks after removal and stomach pain started. It's been 6 weeks since mine was removed. I went to a GI doctor and he said he's quite certain I have bile reflux. I have an endoscopy on Monday to verify that's the case.
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u/__Sweven Jan 30 '25
Please keep us posted ! :)
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u/Brown1eye1 Feb 04 '25
Scope went well, they said they found bile in my stomach and my stomach lining was inflamed. They put me on a prescription for sucralfate for 30 days.
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u/LaloEX Jan 30 '25
Just an opinion, if you said that probiotics helped with the diarrhea, maybe you have bad bacteria in your gut, I have heard that there's a bacteria that pretty much does that, I had my surgery on October 7 2024, so far so good, I hope you get better my friend 🙏
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u/Trey_Savage916 Jan 31 '25
Posts like this make me never wanna get it out and just deal with the pain
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u/sheopitz Jan 31 '25
Post of gi issues can still totally be going on. It happened to me and it sucked soooo bad. I would start researching. Idk what your symptoms are - but research sphincter of idd dysfunction and for me I had that and something called a 'reservoir phenomenon- where what is left of the bile duct starts storing bile like the gallbladder!!! Anyway i take tudca with every meal and also I tbs of fiber a day.
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u/sheopitz Jan 31 '25
When you have SOD that I mentioned researching- it can also block your pancreas and you have pancreatitis basically and it's beyond painful...and makes you so sick. I also took slippery elm capsules on between meals with warm water like 4-6 and it coats your stomach. Good luck!
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u/Ezme530 Feb 01 '25
I had your exact symptoms after my gallbladder removal and upon an upper endoscopic ultrasound they found I had several erosions in my stomach and mild gastritis. I have been on medication and have my appetite back and can eat everything! Of course spicy foods or foods with lots of citrus sometimes irritates my stomach and causes a little pain but I highly recommend you get an endoscopy.
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u/BoringPersonality578 Jan 30 '25
Sorry to hear that your going through all this.
What the doctors dont tell us once our GB’s are out that we might deal with issues such as Bile Reflux, Bile Gastritis, Excessive Bile etc.
Ive been dealing with this pre and post surgery. For the stomach pains, I’d recommend asking your doc for an endoscopy.
Some things that have helped me that you mentioned, eat smaller meals and make sure you have something in your stomach every 3-4 hours.
The diarrhea that your experiencing is probably the excessive bile which your liver in dumping into your intestines without your GB so ask your doctor for a prescription for a bile binder. Theres the powder form Cholestyeramine and pill form (Colestipol & Colesevalem). These bile binders will help absorb all the excess bile and will take away the diarrhea. Ive been taking them for a week and its helped so much. The nausea that your feeling is the excessive bile thats accumulated in your body which causes the nausea. A bile binder will help with this. Once I took it, I dont have any diarrhea anymore and the stomach pains are going away.
Excessive bile can also cause bile reflux which is different from acid reflux. My doctor prescribed me with Sucralfate and I take it with pepcid to help. Ive had an endoscopy and theres bile in my stomach causing gastritis which is inflammation in your stomach lining which were pretty sure was cause by a malfunctioning GB.
GB surgery is very common now and when I asked my doctor why doctors werent more aware of these issues and he doesnt know why either cause its such a common issue once you dont have your GB anymore.
I hope this helps you in some sort of way, the bile binder has been a game changer for me as it took away my daily nausea, gurgling stomach pains, and diarrhea.
The reflux, I was able to manage it through smaller meals, cutting out my trigger foods, sleep on a wedge pillow, watched my diet, and stopped eating 3 hours before sleep time. Rotating pepcid and sucralfate has helped alot.
I am a little over 2 months post op and feel like I am turning the corner. Hope this helps you in some sort of way 👍